Electrolytic Ozone Generator with Membrane Electrode

ABSTRACT

An electrolytic ozone generator with membrane electrode includes a proton exchange membrane ( 2 ), an anode electrocatalyst layer ( 3 ), an anode diffusion layer ( 4 ), a flow field plate ( 5 ), a cathode structure ( 1 ) and a frame body ( 6 ). The frame boy ( 6 ) has a frame sealing groove ( 11 ) therein. A seal ( 7 ) is provided in the frame sealing groove ( 11 ). The frame body ( 6 ) is tightly connected with the cathode structure ( 1 ) through screws ( 9 ) so that the seal ( 7 ) is to seal the proton exchange membrane ( 2 ), the anode electrocatalyst layer ( 3 ) and the frame body ( 6 ) completely and tightly. The present invention has a simple structure, is cost-effective and provides a better seal effect to achieve mass production. After a period of operation, the electrolytic ozone generator still keeps an excellent seal, so that the electrolytic ozone generator can generate ozone steadily.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an electrolytic ozone generator, andmore particularly to an electrolytic ozone generator with membraneelectrode with pure water as raw material.

2. Description of the Prior Art

There are many electrolytic ozone generators on the market, such asChinese Utility Model Patent No. ZL200520113829.9 titled “anodestructure of electrolytic ozone generator” and Chinese PatentApplication No. 97122126.X titled “electrolytic ozone generator”. Theaforesaid structures have the following shortcomings.

1. Ozone has a strong oxidized corrosion. During operation, thelarge-sized seal gets contact with ozone direct. The surface area islarge, which is easy to be oxidized and corroded. After a period oftime, the seal will be aging and its seal capability will lose to resultin leakage of gas and source water.

2. There are many seals in the conventional ozone generator. Thisincreases cost and the operation is complicated. No matter how small theozone contact area is, the oxidization and corrosion cannot be avoided,so the seal may lose its efficacy.

3. After a long time, the seal made of silicon rubber is unable toresist ozone of high concentration and will harden to lose itsresilience, without seal function.

4. After fastened, the fastening force provides two pressures to deformthe seal and to the anode electrocataly layer for fastening the protonexchange membrane. The pressure to deform the seal and the pressure forthe anode electrocataly layer to fasten the proton exchange membrane aredifferent, which will cause the other pressure too large or too small.The seal capability and the anode electrocataly layer to fasten theproton exchange membrane are influenced, so the electrolytic ozonegenerator with membrane electrode is unstable and the volume of ozonemay decrease.

5. After operation, the thickness of the anode electrocataly layergradually thin, and the fastening plate cannot provide enough pressureand is unable to compensate for the lost pressure caused by the thinanode electrocataly layer, so the anode structure of the electrolyticozone generator is loosened. The pressure to the anode electrocatalylayer and the proton exchange membrane is not enough, so the volume ofozone generated by the electrolytic ozone generator with membraneelectrode is decreased.

6. The conventional cathode structure comprises a cathode fixed plate,an anticorrosive plate, a frame, a deflector plate, a seal, an anodediffusion layer, a cathode electrocatalyst layer, which has too manyparts. The production and assembly are complicated to influence itsreliability and to increase cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the present invention is to provide anelectrolytic ozone generator with membrane electrode which has a simplestructure, is cost-effective and provides a better seal effect toachieve mass production. After a period of operation, the electrolyticozone generator still keeps an excellent seal so that the electrolyticozone generator can generate ozone steadily.

According to the present invention, there is provided an electrolyticozone generator with membrane electrode which comprises a protonexchange membrane, an anode electrocatalyst layer, an anode diffusionlayer, a flow field plate and a cathode structure. The electrolyticozone generator further comprises a frame body. The frame boy has aframe sealing groove therein. A seal is provided in the frame sealinggroove. The frame body is tightly connected with the cathode structurethrough screws so that the seal is to seal the proton exchange membrane,the anode electrocatalyst layer and the frame body completely andtightly.

Preferably, the frame body is tightly connected with the cathodestructure through the screws so that the seal is to seal the protonexchange membrane, the anode electrocatalyst layer, the anode diffusionlayer and the frame body completely and tightly.

Preferably, the frame body is tightly connected with the cathodestructure through the screws so that the seal is to seal the protonexchange membrane, the anode electrocatalyst layer, the flow field plateand the frame body completely and tightly.

Preferably, the frame body is tightly connected with the cathodestructure through the screws so that the seal is to seal the protonexchange membrane, the anode electrocatalyst layer, the anode diffusionlayer, the flow field plate and the frame body completely and tightly.

Preferably, the seal is a fluoroplastic encapsulated O-ring.

Preferably, the frame sealing groove is a bevel groove.

Preferably, the frame body comprises a frame body periphery, a thin bodyand a conductive column encapsulating body to be one-piece. Theconductive column encapsulating body comprises a conductive columntherein. A fastening plate is provided on the conductive column. Thefastening plate is tightly connected with the cathode structure throughscrews.

Preferably, the thin body has a curve shape, a V shape or a flat shape.

Preferably, the conductive column is inlayed in the conductive columnencapsulating body.

Preferably, the cathode structure comprises a cathode fixed plate. Thecathode fixed plate has a plurality of screw holes and a drainage hole.The cathode fixed plate further has deflector grooves. The deflectorgrooves are interconnected through a groove and communicates with thedrainage hole. A cathode diffusion layer is provided on the cathodefixed plate. A cathode electrocatalyst layer is provided on the cathodediffusion layer.

Preferably, the deflector grooves are annular deflector grooves.

Preferably, the cathode fixed plate is made of a metallic titaniummaterial.

Compared to the prior art, the present invention has the followingeffects.

1. The seal of the present invention adopts the fluoroplasticencapsulated O-ring. The fluoroplastic won't be oxidized and corroded byozone and wraps the O-ring completely. After a period of operation, theelectrolytic ozone generator still keeps its excellent seal and won't beoxidized and corroded by ozone to lose efficacy of seal. Theelectrolytic ozone generator with membrane electrode of the presentinvention generates ozone steadily to achieve a stable function.

2. The frame body is tightly connected with the cathode structure in amechanical way. Through the frame sealing groove, the seal is extrudedand deformed and the bevel grove makes the seal generate pressure, sothat the seal gets contact with the proton exchange membrane, the anodeelectrocataly layer, the anode diffusion layer, the flow field plate andthe frame body tightly so as to achieve a complete seal.

3. The frame body and the fastening plate are tightly connected with thecathode structure through screws in a mechanical tightening way. Thetightening plate provides a tightening force to the conductive column.Because the inner of the seal is smooth after deformed, the tighteningforce passes the flow field plate and the anode diffusion layer throughthe conductive column and is transmitted to the anode electrocatalylayer and the proton exchange membrane, providing a stable tighteningforce as required. Besides, the conductive column is applied with aforce and has a gap relative to the flow field plate, so the peripheryand the outer side of the conductive column will be deformed. Throughthe thin body to bear deformation, the outer side of the thin body won'tbe influenced by the screws and the tightening plate. In this way, thedeformation and airtightness of the seal won't have a change. Therefore,through the thin body, the pressure to deform the seal and the pressurefor the anode electrocataly layer to tighten the proton exchangemembrane are different and separate, so that the electrolytic ozonegenerator keeps a stable function.

4. After operation, the thickness of the anode electrocatalyst layerwill gradually be thinned. When the thickness is thin, the fasteningplate applies a fastening force to the conductive column and theconductive column is moved downward through the thin body so as tocompensate for the lost pressure because the thickness of the anodeelectrocatalyst layer becomes thin. This can prevent the anodeelectrocatalys layer and the ion exchange layer from not having enoughfastening force to lower the ozone volume of the electrolytic ozonegenerator.

5. The cathode fixed plate of the cathode structure of the presentinvention has screw holes which are used to fasten the electrolyticozone generator with membrane electrode and connect with the cathodeelectrode of direct current, having the same function of a conventionalcathode fixed plate. The cathode fixed plate of the present inventionhas the deflector grooves to receive source water. The source water andthe gas product convect and diffuse in the grooves to have conductiveand cooling functions as the conventional deflector plate. The cathodefixed plate of the present invention has the drainage hole to drain thewater of cathode and the gas production. The cathode fixed plate of thepresent invention is made of a metallic titanium material to preventcorrosion, without the need of corrosion-resisting material andcorrosion-resisting treatment. The cathode fixed plate has fastening,guide, cooling and drainage functions, combining the functions of aconventional cathode fixed plate, an anticorrosive plate, a frame and adeflector plate. Compared to the conventional ozone generator, thepresent invention is simple in technique, is convenient for assembly andlowers the cost about 20-30%.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the frame body of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the cathode structure of FIG.1; and

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the cathode fixed plate of FIG.3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way ofexample only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1 through FIG. 4, the electrolytic ozone generator withmembrane electrode of the present invention comprises a cathodestructure 1. The cathode structure 1 comprises a cathode fixed plate 1-5which is made of a metallic titanium material. The cathode fixed plate1-5 has a plurality of screw holes 1-1 which are evenly arranged arounda circumferential portion of the cathode fixed plate 1-5. The cathodefixed plate 1-5 further has annular deflector grooves 1-2 and atransverse groove 1-4 which passes through the central portions of theannular deflector grooves 1-2. The annular deflector grooves 1-2 areinterconnected through the groove 1-4 and communicate with a drainagehole 1-3. A cathode diffusion layer 1-6 is provided on the cathode fixedplate 1-5. A cathode electrocatalyst layer 1-7 is provided on thecathode diffusion layer 1-6. The cathode electrocatalyst layer 1-7 has athickness ranging from 0.1 mm to 5 mm. A proton exchange membrane 2(DuPont Nafion 117) is provided on the cathode electrocatalyst layer1-7. An anode electrocatalyst layer 3 is provided on the proton exchangemembrane 2, which is located opposite the cathode structure of theelectrolytic ozone generator. The anode electrocatalyst layer 3 has athickness ranging from 0.1 mm to 5 mm. The anode electrocatalyst layer 3is a membrane layer made of lead dioxide. The way to produce is thatanode electrocatalyst particles are placed on the proton exchangemembrane 2 and then an anode diffusion layer 4 is provided to cover theanode electrocataly layer 3. The surface of the anode diffusion layer 4is treated with a conductive and corrosion-resisting protection layer.The anode diffusion layer 4 is a porous titanium layer. The anodediffusion layer 4 has a pore diameter ranging from 10 μm to 500 μm. Aflow field plate 5 is provided on the anode diffusion layer 4. One sideof the flow field plate 5 gets contact with the anode diffusion layer 4tightly. A seal 7 is used to seal the peripheral edges of the flow fieldplate 5, the anode diffusion layer 4 and the anode electrocataly layer3. The seal 7 is a fluoroplastic encapsulated O-ring. A frame body 6 isplaced on top of the seal 7. The frame body 6 has a frame sealing groove11 therein. The frame sealing groove 11 is a bevel groove. The seal 7 isplaced in the frame sealing groove 11. The frame body 6 is tightlyconnected with the cathode fixed plate 1-5 of the cathode structure 1through screws 9 in a mechanical tightening way. Through the framesealing groove 11, the seal 7 is extruded and deformed to get contactwith the proton exchange membrane 2, the anode electrocataly layer 3,the anode diffusion layer 4, the flow field plate 5 and the frame body 6tightly so as to achieve a complete seal. The frame body 6 comprises aframe body periphery 6-3, a thin body 6-2 and a conductive columnencapsulating body 6-1 to be one-piece. The thin body 6-2 is disposedbetween the frame body periphery 6-3 and the conductive columnencapsulating body 6-1. A conductive column 13 is inlayed in theconductive column encapsulating body 6-1. The thin body 6-2 is resilientand extendable and has a curve shape, a V shape or a flat shape. Afastening plate 8 is placed on the conductive column 13. The fasteningplate 8 is tightly connected with the cathode fixed plate 1-5 of thecathode structure 1 through screws 10 in a mechanical tightening way.The tightening plate 8 provides a force to the center of the frame body6. Through the thin body 6-2 to generate deformation, the seal 7 won'tbe influenced by the screws 10 of the tightening plate 8 to cause changeof seal capability.

The electrolytic ozone generator with membrane electrode of the presentinvention has a life span more than 10000 hours.

Although particular embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed in detail for purposes of illustration, various modificationsand enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scopeof the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not tobe limited except as by the appended claims.

1. An electrolytic ozone generator with membrane electrode that comprises a proton exchange membrane (2), an anode electrocatalyst layer (3), an anode diffusion layer (4), a flow field plate (5) and a cathode structure (1). The characteristics of the design are that the electrolytic ozone generator further comprising a frame body (6), the frame boy (6) having a frame sealing groove (11) therein, a seal (7) provided in the frame sealing groove (11), the frame body (6) being tightly connected with the cathode structure (1) through screws (9) so that the seal (7) is to seal the proton exchange membrane (2), the anode electrocatalyst layer (3) and the frame body (6) completely and tightly.
 2. The electrolytic ozone generator with membrane electrode as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame body (6) is tightly connected with the cathode structure (1) through the screws (9) so that the seal (7) is to seal the proton exchange membrane (2), the anode electrocatalyst layer (3), the anode diffusion layer (4) and the frame body (6) completely and tightly.
 3. The electrolytic ozone generator with membrane electrode as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame body (6) is tightly connected with the cathode structure (1) through the screws (9) so that the seal (7) is to seal the proton exchange membrane (2), the anode electrocatalyst layer (3), the flow field plate (5) and the frame body (6) completely and tightly.
 4. The electrolytic ozone generator with membrane electrode as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame body (6) is tightly connected with the cathode structure (1) through the screws (9) so that the seal (7) is to seal the proton exchange membrane (2), the anode electrocatalyst layer (3), the anode diffusion layer (4), the flow field plate (5) and the frame body (6) completely and tightly.
 5. The electrolytic ozone generator with membrane electrode as claimed in claim 1, wherein the seal (7) is a fluoroplastic encapsulated O-ring.
 6. The electrolytic ozone generator with membrane electrode as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame sealing groove (11) is a bevel groove.
 7. The electrolytic ozone generator with membrane electrode as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame body (6) comprises a frame body periphery (6-3), a thin body (6-2) and a conductive column encapsulating body (6-1) to be one-piece, the conductive column encapsulating body (6-1) comprising a conductive column (13) therein, a fastening plate (8) provided on the conductive column (13), the fastening plate (8) being tightly connected with the cathode structure (1) through screws (10).
 8. The electrolytic ozone generator with membrane electrode as claimed in claim 7, wherein the thin body (6-2) has a curve shape, a V shape or a flat shape.
 9. The electrolytic ozone generator with membrane electrode as claimed in claim 7, wherein the conductive column (13) is inlayed in the conductive column encapsulating body (6-1).
 10. The electrolytic ozone generator with membrane electrode as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cathode structure (1) comprises a cathode fixed plate (1-5), the cathode fixed plate (1-5) having a plurality of screw holes (1-1) and a drainage hole (1-3), the cathode fixed plate (1-5) further having deflector grooves (1-2), the deflector grooves (1-2) being interconnected through a groove (1-4) and communicating with the drainage hole (1-3), a cathode diffusion layer (1-6) provided on the cathode fixed plate (1-5), a cathode electrocatalyst layer (1-7) provided on the cathode diffusion layer (1-6).
 11. The electrolytic ozone generator with membrane electrode as claimed in claim 8, wherein the deflector grooves (1-2) are annular deflector grooves.
 12. The electrolytic ozone generator with membrane electrode as claimed in claim 8, wherein the cathode fixed plate (1-5) is made of a metallic titanium material. 